India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
